EL MONTE — Police arrested a Norco man Thursday on suspicion of trying to carjack, rob and assault an El Monte woman in a bizarre incident as she sat in a parked car in front of her home, authorities said.
Cesar Alex Sanchez, 38, was booked on suspicion of attempted carjacking, attempted robbery and attempted assault with a deadly weapon, El Monte police Cpl. Aram Choe said.
A woman in her 40s, whose name was not released, was sitting in the parked car when Sanchez reached through her open window and put his hands on her neck, the corporal said.
The woman asked the man what he was doing, and the man, in turn, asked the woman why she was alone, Choe said.
She managed to break free from the man, got out of her car, police said. Sanchez started her car, but did not move it, then turned it off again.
The woman confronted the man and asked him not to steal her car, Choe said. Sanchez exited the car and handed the woman her keys back.
The woman then ran toward her house, he said, and Sanchez gave chase and grabbed onto her purse.
When the woman screamed, her husband came out to help and chased the attacker away.
Police found him in the area about an hour later and used a Taser to subdue him and take him into custody, Choe said.
According to sheriff’s booking records, Sanchez was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending arraignment.